May 05, 2009

By By Antony Bruno, Denver

Sony Music Entertainment is bulking up the content available on its artists' Web sites, adding on-demand streaming and lyrics.

The on-demand streaming allows fans to stream any song from the entire roster of any participating Sony artist, as well as to create customized playlists for each artist as well. Streaming music from artist sites is not unusual, but usually the label creates the playlist in advance. This new step allows the fan to select which song to play.

Sony also struck a deal with Gracenote to add lyrics to each site as well. The Gracenote lyrics service compiles all the publishing rights necessary to legally display song lyrics online. This is the first time a major record label has licensed the Gracenote program for its own Web sites.

The Gracenote deal covers both United States and Canadian territories. Artist participating at launch include Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Ciara, Britney Spears and Michael Jackson. Additional artists throughout the Sony roster will be added during the rollout, which will take place throughout the summer.

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